Many Scottish farmers have used Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme funds when investing in renewable heating systems, often to replace old diesel grain dryers, meaning less oil and diesel are burned and less carbon dioxide is being emitted.

The call comes in response to Ofgem, the UK government energy regulator, which is consulting on RHI.

NFU Scotland said: “As farmers are paid on weight for their grain, there is little incentive for abuse and any over-drying would lead to lighter weights and less revenue for their crops.Farmers only dry if necessary, but during this year’s harvest, with grain sometimes being cut at more than 30% moisture content, efficient drying through RHI-supported dryers was vital.”